This week, a task force created by the Oregon Legislature presents its findings about the state’s critical need for school nurses, documenting an increase in the need for school-based health services. It says about twenty-one thousand Oregon students in fifty four districts don’t have access to a nurse, leaving other (someimes untrained) adults to handle health-related issues. KBOO’s Michael Pursell has more from the Oregon News Service.

General Motors announced today that they have again developed an electric car - the Chevy Volt.The company first developed an electric car - the EV-1 - in 1996, and leased a number of prototypes to Hollywood stars.The EV-1 was made after California legislators mandated the production of zero-emissions vehicles.But at the same time that the company was producing the world's first electric car, it was also engaged in litigation to force California to lift its mandate.When the litigation succeeded, and California lifted the requirement for zero-emissions vehicles, General Motors immediately ceased production and had all of the prototypes of the world's first electric car shredded.

With high school students headed back to school, military recruiters are not far behind.Parents must 'opt-out' by September 30th, or their child may be subjected to multiple phone calls, text messages, home visits and even stalking by military recruiters trying to convince them to sign up for the armed forces.Pablo Paredes is a conscientious objector who refused to deploy to iraq.He's been on a speaking tour all summer, and began this school year with a conference call today titled 'Truth-in Recruitment'. Here's a clip:

The Portland city council is considering a proposal to covert the Colwood Golf Course into industrial land.Opponents contend that the change will harm what’s already one of the most park deprived parts of the city.KBOO’s Rebecca Nay spoke to The Audubon Society’s Jim Labbe about the proposal.That was KBOO’s Rebecca Nay speaking to The Audubon Society’s Jim Labbe about the proposal to convert the Colwood Golf Course into industrial land.The Portland City Council will be allowing public testimony on the subject tomorrow night at six.

Following last week's takeover of the nation's two largest mortgage companies, other major financial players are beginning to collapse. Over the weekend, Lehman Brothers, followed by Merrill Lynch, became the latest companies to succumb to the growing crisis on Wall Street.KBOO's Spencer Raymond gave a commentary on this morning's Air Cascadia on some of the reasons for the current crisis:

The Oregon Food Bank has just tabulated figures for the last fiscal year, and released a new survey of people who get food from the nine-hundred distribution centers throughout the state.The survey found that more working families, and more first-timers, are asking for emergency food assistance this year.KBOO's Kendall Archer has more, in collaboration with the Oregon News Service:

This Wednesday marks the second anniversary of the beating death of James Chasse at the hands of three law officers, in downtown Portland, in front of a dozen witnesses. Kboo’s Crystal Leighty spoke with Jason Renault of the Mental Health Association of Portland.His organization will be holding a benefit on Wednesday to commemorate the anniversary.

With over 800 people arrested at the Republican Convention, the City of St. Paul has seen the largest police action in the city's history.Some of those arrested have been charged with felony conspiracy for the 'crime' of putting out a call for protest at the convention.Elliott Hughes spoke at a press conference about being beaten while in jail:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent the last week praising itself for supposedly responding well to Hurricane Gustav.But low-income residents of New Orleans who were evacuated to former Sam's Clubs and Walmarts around the state have not been allowed to return home.In Shreveport, Louisiana, a group of residents held a protest outside of the state-run shelter in a former Sam's Club where they were taken by bus from New Orleans.Here's a recording from that protest - the residents begin by chanting "Jindal, Jindal, you're a crook - a reference to Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal:

This episode of Gender Blender with your hosts Rebecca Nay and Jacob Anderson-Minshall focuses on how gender influences and impacts homelessnes. We were joined in the studio by Shannon Singleton who is the shelter coordinator for Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES) located at 11 NW 5th Ave in downtown Portland and Reverend Chuck Currie who is the interim minister of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon and has been involved with homeless activism for over two decades. Jake also spoke with Jody Marksamer, Director of
25:27 minutes (23.31 MB)

This episode of Gender Blender with your hosts Rebecca Nay and Jacob Anderson-Minshall focuses on how gender influences and impacts homelessnes. We were joined in the studio by Shannon Singleton who is the shelter coordinator for Salvation Army Female Emergency Shelter (SAFES) located at 11 NW 5th Ave in downtown Portland and Reverend Chuck Currie who is the interim minister of Parkrose Community United Church of Christ in Portland, Oregon and has been involved with homeless activism for over two decades. Jake also spoke with Jody Marksamer,
34:13 minutes (31.34 MB)